2024-12-31-accounts - The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of St Laurence, Chorley

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Annual Report 2024 Parlsh Church of Chorley St. Laurence

St. Laurence’s Chorley is a Registered Charity no. 1175130

Chorley Parish Church of St. Laurence

Annual Report 2024

FROM THE RECTOR CANON NEIL KELLEY Rector and Assistant Archdeacon for Clergy Wellbeing

The year 2024 saw a number of things happening to our building as a result of much needed work done, all part of our longer term strategy to deal with a long list of structural problems which has grown over quite some years now.

Of course, the church is the people, not the building, but we are called to be good stewards of all that God has given us; loving our building and caring for it is a responsibility placed on the shoulders of all those who regard St. Laurence’s as their spiritual home.

When I came to Chorley many people loved to refer to St. Laurence’s as “the parish church” – but what does it mean to be a “parish church?” it means that we take seriously our call to care for everyone in our parish boundary, whether of the same faith as us, or a different faith or no faith at all”. That’s what it means to be a Parish Church. The late Archbishop William Temple once said that “the Church of England is the only organisation that exists for those who are not yet its members”.

As we continue our plans to grow our worshipping community as well as our weekday ministry, may we hear again that call to be a proper parish church – a church that reaches out to all in the name of Christ, especially the last, the least and the lost.

As you read this report you will become aware of a fantastic and thoroughly dedicated team of people – some who worship with us and many who don’t – without that dedication we could not be a parish church. Or, rather, we would only be a parish church in word and not in deed. My grateful thanks go to everyone who enable us to serve in the name of Christ.

Annual Report 2024

Chorley Parish Church of St. Laurence

VESTRY MEETING | APCM

25 APRIL 2024 R eports (Please see annual report) The PCC The Electoral Roll The Financial Statements Church Fabric The Deanery Synod

Vestry Meeting Election of Churchwardens

Alex Barrack was appointed Warden for the coming year.

APCM

Fr Neil welcomed everyone to the APCM.

Apologies

Cornelius Asghar, Bob Berry, Chris Berry, Linda Hall, Chris Pryor, Fraser Marlton Thomas

Approval of the Annual Report Proposed: Rob Kelly Seconded: Bernard Oakley

Minutes of the previous APCM - 2023 The PCC stated that they were happy with minutes from last year.

Elections and Appointments

Deanery Synod Members

Tony Checker Phil Hall Fiona Pattison

PCC Members

Alan Winstanley Chris Pryor Nicola Pilkington Fraser Marlton-Thomas Emma Barraclough Kirsty Marlton-Thomas Neal Bennet-Williams Lucy Hubberstey

Warden

Alex Barrack

Deputy Warden

Tony Checker Bernard Oakley

Independent Examiner John Schofield

CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS

Fr. Neil took the opportunity to say thank you to everyone, noting the vast amount of people who do a huge amount and thanked everyone for their contributions. The following was also noted:

Taste café 21,760 covers served

Four year anniversary food parcels some 2,000
Tuesday marks the first year of the Wellness Hub
27 people supported re debt to become debt free
312 people received emotional support from open table
Unusual not to have a day where there is a suicide conversation 3,496 hours of support from volunteers over last year alone Number of finance challenges - full time job for James
Volunteer posts not optional they are necessary
In terms of volunteer hours we have around 160 volunteers- each week requires 153 hours of church time. Around £100,000 volunteer hours based on minimum wage
Facing challenges there is more we need to deal with
Increase in the number of people coming to church services 239 over the three services average
As numbers have grown the pastoral team has shrunk slightly

21,760 TASTE CAFE COVERS

2,000 FOOD PARCELS OVER FOUR YEARS

312 PEOPLE RECEIVED EMOTIONAL SUPPORT

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3,496
VOLUNTEER
HOURS
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1 YEAR
WELLNESS HUB
ANNIVERSARY
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239 AVERAGE CHURCH ATTENDANCE

Annual Report 2024 Chorley Parish Church of St. Laurence

STRUCTURE MANAGEMENT & GOVERNANCE

The PCC has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have due regard to House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults).

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a body corporate established by the Church of England.

The Ecclesiastical Parish of Chorley St Laurence operates under the Parochial Church Council (Powers) Measure 1956.

The PCC is registered with the Charity Commission, number 1175130. The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules.

All those who attend our services are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and to stand for election to the PCC. The PCC hold regular meetings during the year. Reports from PCC sub committees have been received and considered regularly at PCC meetings.

The PCC has a Safeguarding Policy in place.

In 2024 the PCC operated the following sub-committees that report back to it as necessary and their deliberations are discussed.

Annual Report 2024 Chorley Parish Church of St. Laurence

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

PARISH FINANCE AND FABRIC COMMITTEE

Rector (ex-officio), James Laidler (Chair), Phil Hall, David Ward, Joy Barrack, Alex Barrack

SAFEGUARDING GROUP

Rector (ex-officio), Parish Safeguarding Officer, Fiona Pattison

REDEVELOPMENT GROUP

Becky Gilbert-Rule (chair), Rector (ex-officio), James Laidler (ex-officio), Jill Smith, David Ward, Dan Hubberstey, Andrew Walkden, Darren Nicholson, Alan Winstanley, Churchwardens (ex-officio)

RAISE THE ROOF COMMITTEE

Rector (ex-officio), Karen Pemberton (Chair), Cheryl Winstanley, Pat Roberts, Anne Watts, Joyce Fielding

HOSPITALITY GROUP

Rector (ex-officio), Rachel Gilkes (Chair), Brian Clarke, Chris Hedges, Fiona Pattison, John Handforth, Margaret Shackleton, Alan Winstanley

HEALTH AND SAFETY GROUP

Rector (ex-officio), James Laidler, Joan Hayward, David Ward

THANK YOU!

Elspeth thanked Fr Neil on everyone’s behalf to recognise all the effort that goes into the work that he does.

Annual Report 2024 Chorley Parish Church of St. Laurence

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

THE PARISH OF CHORLEY ST LAURENCE IS A REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1175130

THE PARISH IS PART OF THE DIOCESE OF BLACKBURN WITHIN THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND THE CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS IS: ST LAURENCE PARISH OFFICE, UNION STREET, CHORLEY, PR7 1EB

Website www.stlaurencechorley.co.uk Rector Canon Neil Kelley (PCC Chairman) Ordinand in Training Cornelius Asghar (until June) Assistant Curate Fr. Cornelius Asghar (from June) Assisting Clergy Canon Ken Barrett, Rev David Ward, Fr Edmund Straszak, Fr Robert Moore, Rev Mike Hatton ALMs Phil Hall, Tony Checker, Neal Bennet-Williams, Michelle Wareham (from September) Parish Administrator Natalie Print Rectors PA Jackie Gemson (resigned June), Mandy Stanton (from August) Ops Manager Irene Preston Project Administrator Jill Smith Parish Nurse Lisa Corbet (resigned March) CAP Debt Centre Manager Rachel Gilkes Kitchen Manager Rachel Gilkes (resigned July) Wellness Co-ordinator Rachel Gilkes (from July) PCC Treasurer James Laidler PCC Secretary Tracy Earl Churchwardens Alex Barrack (ex-officio PCC), Neal Bennet-Williams (from December, ex-officio PCC) Deputy Churchwardens Tony Checker, Bernard Oakley Deanery Synod Reps Phil Hall (2026), Tony Checker (2026), Fiona Pattison (2026) James Laidler (2025), Joyce Fielding (2025), Betty Kelly (2025) (resigned December), Alan Winstanley (2026), Chris Pryor (2026), Fraser Marlton-Thomas (2026), Elected PCC Members Karen Pemberton (2026) (resigned April), Kirsty Marlton-Thomas (2026), Nicola Pilkington (2026), Tracy Earl (2026), Neal Bennet-Williams (until December), Emma Barraclough (2026), Lucy Hubberstey (2027) Electoral Roll Officer Natalie Print Finance and Fabric Group James Laidler (chair) Health and Safety David Ward, James Laidler, Joan Hayward, Colin Christie (from July 2024) Parish Safeguarding Officer Nicola Pilkington Redevelopment Group Becky Gilbert-Rule (chair) Raise the Roof Committee Karen Pemberton (Chair) Parish Bankers Virgin Money Independent Examiner John Schofield BA (Oxon), 126 Deerfold, Chorley, PR7 1UH Architect John Coward Architects Ltd, 3 Unsworth’s Yard, Ford Road, LA11 6PG

DAY TO DAY MANAGEMENT CONTROL OF THE CHURCH IS EXERCISED BY THE INCUMBENT, CANON NEIL KELLEY AND THE CHURCHWARDENS, ALEX BARRACK AND NEAL BENNET-WILLIAMS, CONTACTABLE THROUGH ST. LAURENCE PARISH OFFICE, UNION STREET, CHORLEY PR7 1EB, TEL: 01257 231360

Annual Report 2024 Chorley Parish Church of St. Laurence

CHURCHWARDENS REPORT

This report is made available to the PCC and all members of the Parish Church of St Laurence, Chorley, under section 5 of the Care of Churches and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1991.

This has been another very busy year in the life of St Laurence’s, with so many activities taking place. We are blessed to have such strong leadership and support from our Clergy and Admin Team. Therefore, I will take this opportunity to give them our thanks. Thanks also to the retired priests who support some of the many services held in the church. Their contributions are very much appreciated. A highlight of the year took place in June when we celebrated the Ordination of Cornelius Asghar as Deacon, which was followed by a meal in Church with Cornelius and his family.

Church services throughout the year continue to be well attended, and we have welcomed many new members and families to the church family. The Christmas crib services were both very well attended.

The friends of St Laurence have continued to support the Church, and I thank Alistair Morwood and his team for all their hard work raising funds towards the upkeep of the Church.

We are extremely fortunate to have a Church Tower with a ring of 8 bells. Our thanks go to the ringers for calling people to worship on a Sunday morning as well as other occasions. There is still opportunity for more members of the Church to learn how to handle the ropes.

The Standish Stitchers contributed a wonderful display of mice for the flower show with a church building created by David Jones. The mice were then sold to raise funds towards the roof repairs. New crafts people are always welcome, please contact Jane Morwood or Anne Wray.

Our church continues to serve our wider community providing hot meals through open table on a Monday evening, Taste Café Tuesday to Friday, Mental health support on a Tuesday, Christians Against Poverty, offering advice and support. Free emergency food parcels are supplied and delivered to those in most urgent need. The Wellness Hub celebrated its first anniversary in April. There are many more activities to support members of the community. Well done to all the volunteers who make all these activities happen.

The shop has grown over the year offering a wide range of products and gifts, raising funds towards the upkeep of the Church, thanks to Anne Wray and her team of volunteers for their hard work and the support they gave to the flower show, with the Raise the Roof theme.

As is discussed further in the Fabric Report, this year was also a busy year for works in the Church and fundraising.

There is so much which goes on at St Laurence’s, through the church services and activities, and also through the outreach to our local community. We are grateful to all who make this possible.

Since our last Church Warden’s report, there have been some ‘staff’ changes. Darren Nicholson stepped down as a Churchwarden and Bernard Oakley became a Deputy Warden during 2024. In December 2024, Neal Bennet-Williams was appointed Churchwarden.

Alex Barrack Neal Bennett-Williams Churchwardens

Annual Report 2024

Chorley Parish Church of St. Laurence

DEANERY SYNOD

Joyful Generous Stewards

Presented by Christy Sawyer, (Diocesan Stewardship Resourcing Officer) Chorley Deanery Synod - 24 June 2024, St John’s Church, Whittle-le-Woods

The meeting focused of ‘all aspects of stewardship’. Including: Key principles, mechanisms of giving, impact reporting, building trust, inspiring generosity, discipleship, and ideas to activate generosity in your church.

Mechanisms

1.Contactless devices
2.Parish giving scheme
3.Digital giving
4.Legacies

Impact Reporting

Key Principles

1.Giving is rooted in the character of God, who is the giver of all good gifts
2.Giving joyfully is part of our worship
3.Generous giving is part of Christian discipleship – as we grow in the likeness of Jesus, we grow in the grace of giving
4.Giving is part of our stewardship of God’s creation
5.God is not a God of scarcity but of abundance
6.Giving is an act of faith
7.Giving within the diocese is an expression of our mutual dependence as the Body of Christ
8.Giving in the New Testament is a response to grace
9.We enable and channel the giving of the willing, we don’t put anyone under pressure
10.In prayer, we seek God’s guidance, surrender our worries, and offer gratitude for His provision

Focus on outcomes, not just outputs. For example, instead of saying a lunch club served 30 meals, highlight that it reduced loneliness and isolation. Describe your church’s work by it’s outcomes to convey true impact effectively.

Building Trust

1.Say thank you regularly
2.Explain what was given and how it was spent on a six monthly or annual basis
3.Ensure those involved in encouraging giving have read and understand the code of fundraising practice

Inspiring generosity, discipleship,

and ideas to activate generosity

1.Generosity week: Eight days of service and worship materials for churches to use to encourage people to live generously.
2.Generous harvest: Commit as a church to raise enough in 11 months for all the annual costs. Then, for Harvest month, give away everything you are given.
3.Encourage % increase in line with inflation and/or income.
4.Allow the congregation to decide how the church’s offertory is used can be impactful.

Tony Checker Deanery Synod Member

Annual Report 2024

Chorley Parish Church of St. Laurence

FABRIC REPORT

There has been a considerable amount of work carried out on the Church over the last year, the roof being a main concern as we have continued to have ingress of rain during periods of inclement weather.

The Roof

A contractor was brought in to improve drainage of the South channel of the Lady Chapel. New guttering was installed to assist in taking water off the roof.

A water throw off was inserted above the drain pipe on the South side of the Church, a new lead was cut in to the external side of the crenelations, the full length of the South Isle. We had a contractor to look at the level of dampness in the Lady Chapel and the sub drainage channel running the length of the channel. Plaster was removed from the loft area in the Standish room and measurements taken, demonstrating a high level of moisture.

The loft was subsequently emptied as much as possible, a high-power socket was fitted (now changed to a normal socket) to allow the area to be dried, and over a period of 16 weeks or so, the channel was dried out with infrared heat. The heater was then sold. The water damage and remove plaster panels have now been replaced. There is still an enormous amount of works to be carried out on the other roof areas at later date.

The roof alarm system has had its annual service completed and was tested to ensure it is working correctly.

Taste Café Kitchen

A new power supply and fuse board was fitted in the kitchen including a dedicated socket for a hot water geezer. The geezer was subsequently plumbed in by Deakins. The kitchen was then stripped out by restoration contractors in order to carry out other woks. A temporary kitchen area was set up in Church with a reduced service.

The West Window

Prior to the work on the window, the organ pipes were covered with tarpaulin sheeting to avoid any ingress of dust from the works, the Kitchen was stripped out, the roof the café cleared and stored in a container on site. Stone masons and glazing contractors removed the window, then refitted it with new stonework and glazing. There were two occasion Church was closed due to dust from the works. The contactor brought in cube air filters and set about cleaning the church. Following completion of the works, the roof was put back on the café and the roof replaced (as much as possible due to the state of the wall). The kitchen was then refitted.

The Walls

There are still many areas of plaster damaged by water ingress that will have to be addressed in the future.

Pews

The Gutters

The gutters have been cleared of leaves and seeds twice recently. The situation with leaves should improve following the removal of overhanging parts of the trees that were trespassing the Church yard.

With faculty permission five more pews have removed. There are some stored behind the artwork the others are in the rectory garage and St. Peters Vicarage garage. More pews will be removed when new chairs arrive.

Annual Report 2024

Chorley Parish Church of St. Laurence

Heating

A grant was obtained to assist with the cost of repairs to the heating, the pipe by the organ pipes had been leaking for some considerable time. The system was drained and a new coupling fitted. At the same time, the radiator by the café was removed as it was causing a bottle neck in that area. The boilers had their annual service. Boiler 3 was turned off due to a fault, with the option to repair or replace. The decision was taken to repair (due to cost). Work has finally been completed. The radiators in the upper room continue to require regular bleeding. The boilers were turned off for a few days in November due to a major gas leak as the supply pipe had become disconnected from the mains.

Organ

The organ was giving some concern when playing for prolonged periods, it was given a complete overhaul, repairing the bellows and sub structure. A few minor tweaks have been carried out since then.

Parquet Flooring

As with the previous report, the have been some areas of flooring becoming loose, these have been reglued. More may be identified as the pews are removed. Chris Pryor has made repairs to several of the floor vents.

Lighting

All the lights in the Church have been changed to LED. It has been quite a large piece of work. New security lights have been fitted to the rear of the property and new flood lighting to the front of Church. This will make a significant dent in our electricity usage.

Fire

All the extinguishers have been checked as well as the alarm system and a log sheet printed to record any events.

Car Park

The car park was closed during the works to the West window. On completion of the work and removal of the containers it was reopened. We now have a parking policy, which makes us compliant with our insurance.

C hurch Yard

The council has continued to look after the grass and trees in the yard, the yew tree at the SE corner was damaged when a dead tree fell, this has now been trimmed back. The trees on the West side have been cut back, to the North a tree surgeon was brought in by the council following a discussion with them regarding private nuisance and trespass from the adjacent property, several trees were taken down and the others were cut back, taking them off our property. There are two remaining trees that will require further work this year. The benches will need some attention when the weather improve. One of the benches has been sanded and retreated.

Alex Barrack Neal Bennett-Williams Churchwardens

STATEMENT OF PUBLIC BENEFIT

The Parish of Chorley St. Laurence demonstrates public benefit with the following activities Regular public worship open to all

The provision of sacred space for personal prayer and contemplation Pastoral work, including visiting the sick, frail and bereaved Teaching of Christianity through sermons, courses and small groups Taking of religious assemblies in schools

Promotion of Christianity through staging of events and meetings and the distribution of literature

Promotion of the whole mission of the church through provision of activities for senior citizens, parents, toddlers, young people and other special needs groups Teaching and discussion of Christian Ethics

Environmental/Ethical issues e.g. supporting other charities in the UK and overseas Community involvement, including the support of local cultural events (music, artistic, Chorley Live etc.) and social action (CAP, Open Table, Taste, foodbank, supporting the homeless and street pastors)

Annual Report 2024 Chorley Parish Church of St. Laurence

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The Parochial Church Council (Powers) Measure 1956 states that the PCC: is to co-operate with the Minister in providing in the ecclesiastical parish the whole Mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical

We continue to develop within the Diocesan Vision 2026 programme which focuses on making

disciples of Jesus Christ, being witnesses to Jesus Christ and growing leaders for Jesus Christ Our mission continues to be to proclaim the Gospel according to the doctrines and practices of the Church of England. The PCC maintains an overview of worship throughout the parish and assists in the involvement of the many groups that that live within the parish

Achievements and Performance

See Churchwardens Report.

Approved by the PCC at the meeting on 01 April 2025.

Signed on their behalf by

CANON NEIL KELLEY, RECTOR AND PCC CHAIR

Approved by the APCM on 24 April 2025.

CANON NEIL KELLEY, RECTOR AND PCC CHAIR

JAMES LAIDLER, TREASURER

Annual Report 2024 Chorley Parish Church of St. Laurence

SAFEGUARDING

The PCC and the safeguarding officer have particular responsibilities, but making sure everyone is safe is a commitment that all member of our community share.

The PCC have complied with the duty to have “due regard” to the House of Bishops’ guidance in relation to safeguarding.

Overview of Safeguarding at St. Laurence’s Church Chorley

Display

On display in Church we have the following:

1.A formal statement of adoption of the House of Bishops

Parish Safeguarding Officer is:

Nicola Pilkington

e. safeguarding@stlaurencechorley.co.uk t. 07736 312859

‘Promoting a Safer Church; safeguarding policy statement’. This should be signed on behalf of the PCC
2.Contact details of the PSO, Churchwarden and any other local leaders
3.Contact details for the Diocesan Safeguarding Team – including phone, email and website details

Fiona Pattinson oversees the induction of all new volunteers and completes all DBS for all the relevant volunteers. Fiona can be contacted on volunteers@stlaurencechorley.co.uk

In 2025 we are looking to expand the safeguarding team further.

4.Information about where to get help with child and adult safeguarding issues, domestic abuse and key helplines e.g. ChildLine (See separate ‘Model Safeguarding in parishes-who’s who’)
5.Provide access to a hard copy Parish Safeguarding Handbook (see separate Handbook)
6.Provide access to a hard copy of the Diocese Safeguarding Manual

Safeguarding Concerns/Actions

Training/DBS

As of December 2024, all PCC members were up to date with the safeguarding training (having done three modules; churchwardens do four)
All volunteers receive an induction, which includes how to handle safeguarding concerns and who to speak to
All DBS’s are up to date for PCC and Volunteers. There are a several which will need renewing in 2025 and Fiona is on with this
There have been 12 safeguarding referrals within the past 12 months which have involved referral to other agencies or further safeguarding support from St Laurence’s Church. Two safety plans have been completed with the Diocese Safeguarding officer. A Safety Plan sets out the expectations, actions and arrangements that will be delivered by named members of the Church body and the subject of the Plan to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the church community, including the person named in the Plan
Parish Safeguarding Officer also responds to calls from volunteers and signposts them to the relevant people or agencies.
Summary Action Plan from the Parish Safeguarding Dashboard is shred regularly with the PCC to ensure they are up to date. Further templates and documents can be found here: -
https://www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding/policy practice-guidance/templates-and-resources

N C Pilkington

Nicola Pilkington Parish Safeguarding Officer

CHURCH ATTENDANCE Annual Report 2024

ELECTORAL ROLL 161

This is a decrease of 64 from 2024 (224)

AVERAGE WEEKEND ATTENDANCE 246

This is an increase of 7 from 2023 (239)

AVERAGE WEEKDAY ATTENDANCE 30 This is a decrease of 18 from 2023 (48)

20 01 03 27 FUNERALS BURIAL OF ASHES WEDDINGS BAPTISMS

FINANCE REPORT

Statement of Financial Activities 2024

The consolidated statement of financial activities shows our total funds decreased over the year by £70,477. Our total resources comprising unrestricted, designated and restricted funds at the year-end stood at £489,293.

Much has been achieved in 2024 as we progress to renovate and re-order the Church building namely:

Renovation of the West window

Repairs to the Lady Chapel Roof

Further works to the organ

Installation of LED lighting throughout the building

In 2025 we will continue with the refurbishment of the 'Taste' kitchen and reordering of pews, work which is already funded. Work to the north aisle roof still has to be fully assessed and funded.

There will remain challenges as we strive to fund our continuing community services and improve income to our general funds to meet the cost of ministry and our day to day overheads.

Annual Report 2024 Chorley Parish Church of St. Laurence

FINANCE REPORT STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES 2024

The Churches financial resources are contained within five funds as follows:

1. The Emergency Food Parcel Fund This fund was established in 2023 to show this activity separately from our other community activities.

The funds income in the last 12 months came from a grant from Jigsaw Homes

In addition, personal and supermarket food donations have been received at an estimated worth of £12,277 (£10,470). These donations are not included in the accounts.

Total number of parcels delivered during the year was 750 (976) with a value of around £17,000 (£20,000). £23 per bag.

2. Community fund

This fund is in place to finance the Wellness Hub, Taste Cafe, Monday Open table and Christmas lunch.

The fund has also been used to a small extent to grant emergency funds to those in critical need through the Rector's discretionary fund.

The fund finances the employment costs of the Kitchen Manager, Operations Administrator and the Wellness Hub Manager.

As agreed by the PCC the fund shares the costs of utilities and insurance costs with the general fund.

Grants totalling £56,02323 received during the year include:

Places for People - £2,000 Cinamon Trust - £2,000 Rank Foundation - £2,000 CO-OP - £2,273 Lancashire CC £500 NHS Lancashire - £5,000
ASDA- £1,000
National Lottery Community Fund - £20,000 Chorley BC via the Household Support Fund - £21,250

Thanks must go to Jill Smith, Project Administrator, for the work in building relationships with our funders and undertaking considerable work with grant applications.

As at the year end the fund had a balance of £36,018 of which £13,897 is committed by specific grants, which are not fully expended to the following items:

Post year end events

With the Vision 2026 grant from the Diocese supporting our CAP project, now expended, all CAP expenditure will now be funded through the Community Fund. Accordingly, the PCC have agreed that the restricted deposit funds of £12,913 designated for this purpose be transferred to community funds.

Annual Report 2024 Chorley Parish Church of St. Laurence

FINANCE REPORT STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES 2024

3 Fabric Fund

This was established at the start of 2023 to focus on the repair and re-ordering of the Church. It is also been used to fund continued renovation works to the Church organ.

During the year the following works have been completed and expenditures made:

Repair to the roof of the Lady Chapel
Additional works to the organ
Installation of LED lighting throughout the Church building Complete restoration of the West Window Purchase of new chairs Professional fees
Grants have been received from:
Jessica Lofthouse Trust re Lady Chapel - £10,317
Lancashire Environmental Fund re West Window - £40,000
Benefact Trust- re new kitchen and roof repairs - £58,000 LPW Grants Scheme re Vat paid- £4,715

Thanks again must go to Jill Smith, Project Administrator for the work in sourcing this funding and undertaking considerable work with grant applications.

Balance of the fund at the year-end stood at £245,566.

Annual Report 2024 Chorley Parish Church of St. Laurence

FINANCE REPORT STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES 2024

3. Fabric cont.

The following grants have been received but not yet spent for their purpose:

Benefact Trust December 2023 - £6,950 for kitchen refurbishment
Benefact Trust November 2024 -
£58,000for kitchen refurbishment and contribution to roof repairs

Post year end events

A grant from groundwork UK for 100% of the cost of installing LED was agreed during the year. The grant will be claimed in January 2025 with an associated grant under the LPW scheme for VAT paid. The sum recoverable to the fabric fund is estimated at £11,800.

During the year the PCC agreed that interest accrued on the Fabric Fund should for the time being be applied to the General Funds of the Church. This is a change in policy from 2023.

A grant application under the LPW scheme for reclaiming Vat on the works incurred during the year will be submitted in January 2025. It is estimated that £26,300 will be recoverable to the fabric fund.

4. General Fund

GENERAL FUND

DEFICIT £5,487

The accounts for the year show a deficit on the general fund of £5,487.

PLANNED GIVING

7.6% INCREASE

Planned giving through STO, Green envelopes and Parish Giving Scheme, including gift aid recovered, increased by 7.6%. We have 70 (52) parishioners using PGS.

ANNUAL INCOME

£215,844 Total income for the year was £215,844 an increase of £11,715 on 2023.

LOOSE PLATE COLLECTIONS

19% DECREASE

Loose plate collections and card donation in church fell by 19% to £10,151. Card donations taken in December totalling £1,319 were not received until after the year end.

Recurring grants from the Diocese supported CAP costs, the Project Manager and Deanery Assistant. All grants had been expended by the year end.

Shop sales - the figure includes gross art/craft sales. The shop continued to make a significant contribution to Church funds.

Our costs totalled £221,331. A decrease of £10,119.

Annual Report 2024 Chorley Parish Church of St. Laurence

FINANCE REPORT

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES 2024

Parish share payments were met in full. During the year the Diocese granted a reduction in share in consideration of the Rector's responsibilities to St Peters Church. The Diocese also granted Parish Share Support of £20,446.

The costs of the CAP project were met through the Diocese grant (see above) and funds drawn from a restricted deposit account held at the Diocese.

Gas and electricity costs of £22,345 reduced by 26% on the previous year as expected. Other costs were broadly in line with budget.

5. Restricted funds

These are investments held from historical legacies.

With the agreement of the Charity Commission withdrawal of funds totalling £12,500 was made to finance the ongoing work of the Project Administrator until the end of September 2025.

The value of the investments has shown an increase to £155,342 from £151,557 at the start of the year (2.5%). The balance sheet figure is shown net of the amount of the withdrawal above.

There is a discrepancy between the balance sheet value of investments which are correctly stated and the figure shown in the receipts and payments account, due to a computer error. The correct figure is shown in the balance sheet as described above.

Fund transfers

With the agreement of the Charity Commission withdrawal of funds from restricted investments totalling £12,500 was made to finance the ongoing work of the Project Administrator until the end of September 2025.

Prior year adjustments in respect of restricted funds used to finance CAP have been made totalling £30,436.

General funds as at the year-end stood at £46,119.

The revaluation reserve of £30,633 relates back to 2019. This figure does not form part of the accounts and is not an asset included in the overall reserves.

Provisions

Provision has been made in the accounts for the following:

£1,118 of funeral and wedding fees payable to the Diocese

Appreciation

I would like to record my continued thanks to John Schofield, Hon Examiner of our accounts for his work and continued commitment to this task over many years.

James Laidler Parish Treasurer February 2025

Annual Report 2024

Chorley Parish Church of St. Laurence

FINANCE REPORT

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE FINANCE GROUP 2024

The Finance Group held three formal and one informal quarterly meetings over the past 12 months. The guidelines, below, agreed by the PCC, were met with quarterly accounts reviewed

and submitted to PCC. The finance function of the PCC was maintained over the year namely:

Oversee the work of the Treasurer and review financial information on a quarterly basis Oversee the arrangements for cash handling and banking
Oversee the arrangements for gift aid claims from HMRC
Review quotations for significant expenditure outside items dealt with by the fabric group Be permitted to agree expenditure outside of normal day to day running expenses up to £500 without reference to the PCC
Advise the PCC on the Churches financial position both short and long term
Prepare and recommend an annual budget to the PCC
Prepare and recommend communications to the Parishioners and Diocese in matters relating to Parish finances

Oversee stewardship and agree action required.

With regard to payments, ongoing issues remained with regard to using the bank debit card for online purchases. Investigations are ongoing. Re-imbursement of expenses incurred on behalf of the PCC by staff and parishioners, were made immediately on production of receipts.

My thanks go to all members of the Group for their contribution to the work of the Church and especially to Alan and Jean Fishwick and Joy Barrack for undertaking cash reconciliation and banking during the year. Alan and Jean retired from their duties in the autumn and we welcomed Barbara Coates to assist with this work.

I would like to record our thanks to Ian Knell of Mike Hankey and Co Ltd, of Bamber Bridge, who generously provides payroll services to the Church.

I would also like to thank Tom Wray again for his support with technical issues arising from card payments.

James Laidler Parish Treasurer February 2025

Annual Report 2024 Chorley Parish Church of St. Laurence

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES 2024

PCC St. Laurence Chorley

Consolidated Receipts and Payments

for the period from 01 January 2024 to 31 December 2024

Annual Report 2024 Chorley Parish Church of St. Laurence

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES 2024

PCC St. Laurence Chorley

Receipts and Payments by fund

for the period from 01 January 2024 to 31 December 2024

Annual Report 2024 Chorley Parish Church of St. Laurence

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES 2024

PCC St. Laurence Chorley

RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRUSTEES AND EXAMINER

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under Section 144 (2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is required.

BASIS OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes considering any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statements below.

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S STATEMENT

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the 2011 Act
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act

have not been met; or

(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Mr John Schofield BA (Oxon) 126 Deerfold Chorley Lancashire

14 March 2025

Parish Church of Chorley St. Laurence Union Street, Chorley, PR7 1 EB r. Canon Neil Kelley t. 01257 231360 e. office@stlaurencechorley.co.uk www.stlaurencechorley.co.uk